Updated: A source says that Mendez’s allies missed the deadline to submit the petitions, and were denied.

The Paterson allies of former At-large Councilman Alex Mendez will submit petitions for Democratic County Committee candidates in 30 out of 68 Paterson districts.

“We’re here to help and to support the party,” Mendez told InsiderNJ.

The former councilman was the runner-up in last year’s mayoral contest, losing to Mayor Andre Sayegh.

“We are ready to back Richard Berdnik for sheriff and to support the party,’ Mendez said.